history of food production – Digital Brand Marketing Education & Interactives

A Brief History of Branding: Ancient Times
It may come as a great surprise to other present day design professionals, as it did to me, that the branding and marketing industry has been around for thousands of years. Documentation exists as far back as 2700 B.C with examples of oxen hieroglyphics depicted on Egyptians tombs indicating ownership by the deceased.

The History of Tartans
In the 1500’s, woven woolen cloth, known as tartans, are believed to be derived from the French word ‘tiretaine’. They identified the geographic area from which a person came. Later, these fabric patterns became affiliated with families or clans, which is how we primarily know them today. Tartans are attributed to Scotland but also existed and still exist in Britain, Ireland, North America and in numerous other countries around the world. Some tartans were even created as late as the 20th Century. Societies, institutions, philanthropists and organizations inspired these.

World Tartans, book by Iain Zaczek

Livestock Branding
The original intent of livestock branding was to identify ownership, to be ‘a visible and permanent mark’ to distinguish between what was yours and what was mine. It was a clear-cut way to prevent theft as well as a simple way to identify and return lost livestock to its proper owner. Branding of cattle is still used in the same way today.

'Ouch! That's some way to get a name'. Picture source identified at end of blog post.

Branding and Marketing in the Food Industry: Three Phases
Over time, branding has evolved into an indispensable marketing and advertising tool applied to a great extent, but not exclusively, to the food industry. As such, it has existed since the late 1800’s, a mere sliver of the total time line pie in branding history.

Food Marketing and Branding. Picture source at end of post.

Commercial food branding has gone through three phases. But for the purposes of this article, they will not be described in detail other than to distinguish their periods, “the fragmentation phase (before 1870–1880), the unification phase (1880–1950), and the segmentation phase (1950 and later).” These are referred to with the source credit below. In addition, the ‘4P’ marketing theory is listed below.

The History of Modern Food Production credited in the sources below.

I Want It and I Want It Now!
Present day branding has brought the science of marketing and the art of branding full circle. A brand with the proper marketing can now be known for instant product recognition. The goal of this immediate recognition is the advent of instantaneous acquisition and consumption.

The Seamless Digital Retail Experience. Credit unkown.

The Seamless Digital Retail Experience
The purpose of the type of branding that identifies livestock is called, ‘what’s mine is mine’. But in retail, it is now ‘what’s yours is mine’ and ‘make it mine now’. This is becoming imperative and possible. Recognition through branding and acquisition through digital technology and online marketing make this process closer to seamless on a daily basis.

With the evolving technologies of near field communication, local mobile fusion, radio frequency identification, QR code generation and identification, retailers are becoming able to make us offers we can no longer refuse. There is almost no time to reconsider offers as they become digitally seamless and irresistible.

I Want It and I Want It Now. Credit Flickr jpg.

In Conclusion
When done well using the art of marketing and science of branding, the result of immediate recognition is now approaching ‘0’ time between recognizing, purchasing and consuming. With the continually growing addition of new technology, this process is getting even faster and the gap is lessening to the point where our wishes will be the digital genie’s immediate command. I want it; you have it; I see it; I got it. Just like that!

A Short Video Visit to One of the Best Examples of Branding Today
I consider Dunkin’ Donuts (Dunkin’ not Duncan and yes there is a Duncan tartan has no relation to the retailer’s brand or history), to be one of the best examples of branding and marketing in the US today. Watch this short video and let me know what you think. Future articles will continue to explore the fascinating topics of digital, brands and marketing.